Top 10 Lana Del Ray Songs

From the opening chords, Lana gives her listeners something sonically different with this track. Sounding almost like a James Bond anthem with its lush guitars and the undulation of Lana’s voice, the song has a very cinematic quality to it. The subject is a man Lana just can’t seem to fix, a topic that comes up many times in her songwriting. We feel for Lana and hear the ache in her voice as she sings, “I can’t break through your world.” The film noir style music video, meanwhile, pairs well with the lyrics and give it a cool, Californian vibe.

Written by Lana with Barrie O'Neill, and produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, this song is a fun, tongue-in-cheek send up of hipster culture in Brooklyn as she sings about her rare jazz collection, the feathers in her hair, and the hydroponic weed she smokes. Like many of the songs on Ultraviolence, it sounds like she’s channeling a 1960s girl group. But the inspiration of the song was really Lou Reed who she name checks in the chorus. Lana was actually meant to work with Reed but tragically; he died the same day she landed in New York.

#8: “Blue Jeans” Born to Die (2012)

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Lana’s known for the imagery in her songs and from the first line we know of exactly the kind of James Dean bad boy she’s describing by the blue jeans and white T-shirt he wears. Lana shows her rough side with this one, as she promises to love her bad boy lover more “than all those bitches before.” It’s hard to tell whether this is the song of a wounded girl in unhealthy romantic relationship, or the sinister promises of a dark obsession, but either way, Lana’ committed to her man.

#7: “Young and Beautiful” The Great Gatsby: Music from Baz Luhrmann’s Film (2013)

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Lana’s becoming Hollywood’s go-to girl for moody soundtrack anthems and this track started it all. Written for “The Great Gatsby” soundtrack, Lana sings from the perspective of Daisy Buchanan, a woman who’s afraid that her lover won’t want her once her looks begin to fade. Like any good Del Rey song, it’s tragic, and heart breaking. The beauty of Lana’s voice pairs well with the full orchestra behind her, giving the song an undeniably haunting sound.

#6: “National Anthem” Born to Die (2012)

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An anthem for a new generation, this song embodies Lana at her most playful as she rap/sings memorable lines such as “money is the anthem of success,” over a hip hop beat and bursting fireworks. The song has a lazy, warm feeling to it as she sings of a high class, materialistic world full of trips to the Hamptons and rides in Bugatti Veyrons. In the accompanying video, she cast herself as both Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy Onassis to rapper A$AP Rocky’s JFK, giving listeners a new vision of classic Americana images.

#5: “West Coast” Ultraviolence (2014)

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There’s something inherently cool about this song, from the roll of the drums kicking it off to the surprise tempo shift midway through the chorus; her vocals change along with the tempo, moving from a hard edge to a breathy softness. Lyrically, it’s an ode to the West Coast and its’ icons, golden gods, and rock’n’roll groupies. She also weaves a narrative about falling into another doomed romance but ultimately, giving into it. It’s the most rock’n’roll song of Lana’s career, and at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 is to date her best charting debut.

It’s the titular song off her sophomore album and it places listeners firmly into the singer’s world. Lana tells the story of a relationship that was cursed from the start but she’s determined to see it through to its bitter end. Her lyrics have been described as “apocalyptic” as she sings of the couple’s last time together and pleas for her lover to keep making her laugh, despite their impending deaths. It’s one of her most cinematic songs with critics comparing its sound to the score of “Gone with the Wind” and famed composer John Barry’s signature style of full, robust strings.

Not many artists sing about the melancholy of the summertime but leave it to Lana to explore the underside of what many think is the most carefree season. Cedric Gervais, a well-known house DJ, remixed the song in the summer of 2013. His remix turned it into a sleeper hit since it debuted on the Billboard charts at 72 but climbed all the way to the number 6 spot. The ballad became an unlikely contender for a coveted song of the summer spot and it’s Lana’s highest charting single to date.

Produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, this track is one of her standouts blending all of Lana’s favorite topics into one song: her love for bad boys, her feelings of loneliness and being misunderstood, as well as her obsession with older men as daddy figures. Lana’s vocals are husky and mournful, which fits right into the blue-eyed soul genre she’s channeling. She extended the song with the inclusion of a monologue for her ten minute long music video. The video stirred up some controversy for her cultural appropriation of wearing a Native American headdress as she pointed a gun to her head. Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “High By the Beach” Honeymoon (2015) “Gods & Monsters” Paradise (2012) “Radio” Born to Die (2012) “Without You” Born to Die (2012) “Pretty When You Cry” Ultraviolence (2014)

#1: “Video Games” Born to Die (2012)

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The song that started it all. When it appeared on the Internet in 2011, Lana instantly drew both admirers and critics for her unique baroque pop style. The hype monster was at an all-time high when she gave a less than stellar performance of the song on “Saturday Night Live.” Regardless of the live performance, it’s quintessential Lana with its melancholy tone, the swell of the violins, and her pleas to keep a distant boyfriend happy. When Lana’s at her most vulnerable she’s at her best, and this song is her A-game. Do you agree with our list? Which Lana Del Rey song are you obsessed with? For more original Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.